Blankenberge (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Blankenberge, led by Alderman Benny Herpoel (N‑VA), addresses 31 signage violations and spelling errors on the Zeedijk with a liaison officer, under the Impuls Zeedijk project with Westtoer and KERNpunt.
As VRT News reported, Blankenberge, in the province of West Flanders, Belgium, is taking action to fix spelling mistakes in cafés and restaurants along the Zeedijk. Alderman Benny Herpoel (N‑VA), responsible for small business and the local economy, said the errors are “annoying” and harmful.
He added that misspelt signs, menus, and façades give a poor impression of the businesses and the city. According to Herpoel, these mistakes make the city look unprofessional and do not help attract visitors.
What is Blankenberge doing to fix spelling errors in Zeedijk cafés and catering?
This move is part of the wider “Impuls Zeedijk” project, a collaboration between the Province of West Flanders, Westtoer, and KERNpunt. The city is working to upgrade terraces, façades, and signage to create a unified and appealing streetscape.
“Correcting spelling errors is not within the jurisdiction of a city council Yet, it is better for the local hospitality industry and the city itself that such incidents are avoided,”
Herpol believes.
Blankenberge has appointed a liaison officer to help restaurants and cafés along the Zeedijk meet city standards. The officer guides business owners on how to improve signs, menus, and other public materials.
Many of the owners are of foreign origin and have limited Dutch language skills. This has caused frequent spelling mistakes and inconsistent signage. The liaison officer works directly with the businesses to provide advice and practical support.
“We will ask our liaison officer to speak to these people and point out the errors,”
says Herpoel.
“Just looking up a correct translation: that can’t be that hard, can it?”
At the same time, the city council is preparing new rules for advertising in hospitality businesses.
“We’re looking into whether we can at least require menus to be in Dutch. We also want less advertising on facades and patios,” Herpoel continues.
The regulations will cover signs, menus, and sidewalk displays. They mentioned that sidewalk signs are a key focus because they are highly visible to pedestrians and shape how both the business and the promenade are perceived.
“One sign is allowed per restaurant or bar,”
says Herpoel.
“A few weeks ago, we conducted a major inspection. Thirty-one violations were found regarding the use of public space.”
Blankenberge began improving the Zeedijk in mid‑2024 with the launch of the Impuls Zeedijk project. The city received €65,000 to develop a clear vision for the promenade, focusing on its appearance, visitor experience, and support for local businesses. Early work included a base analysis to spot areas that needed upgrades and quick improvements. By late 2024, the city appointed a liaison officer to guide restaurant and café owners.
